Guide to Arizona Traffic Fines
If you are charged with violating traffic laws in Arizona, you will face penalties including Arizona traffic fines. These fines can vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction the ticket was issued in, the number of previous traffic offenses you have been convicted of, and whether you endangered other drivers or caused an accident while committing a traffic offense. This guide can help you to understand the basic ranges of fines that you may be subject to for violating Arizona law.
Misdemeanor Charges and Civil Infractions
Depending on why you have been pulled over, you may not only be subject to Arizona traffic fines, but additional penalties as well. For several different charges, even a first-time offense is a misdemeanor, which carries the possibility of jail time.
Driving with a suspended license, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, and aggressive driving are all misdemeanor charges. DUI/DWI can carry a jail sentence of up to a year if you are convicted, in addition to any Arizona traffic fines you are required to pay (at least $1250).
Civil infractions are less severe and require you to pay Arizona traffic fines but never to go to jail. You may be charged with a civil infraction if you commit a moving violation, like failure to yield, failure to signal, or failure to stop. These civil infractions carry varying fines depending on the police officer and the jurisdiction in which you are stopped.
License Points
If you accumulate more than 8 points on your license in Arizona in a single 12 month period, you will be required to go to traffic survival school (TSS) to avoid a one-year license suspension. Driving with a suspended license is a serious offense and can result in both Arizona traffic fines and misdemeanors.
Some offenses, including most misdemeanor traffic offenses, immediately put 8 points on your license. Less severe offenses typically only result in 2 points being added to your license, meaning that you would not face license suspension or mandatory traffic school until you had committed four violations in a year.
Speeding Tickets
Arizona traffic fines for speeding are highly contingent on how much you exceeded the speed limit by, whether you are a habitual offender, and whether you endangered other people on the road. Speeding fines are also increased if you deliberately engaged in a speeding contest or drag race.
You may be able to go to traffic school to have your ticket dismissed and avoid paying any Arizona traffic fines for speeding, if you did not aggravate the offense and if you are not a habitual offender. However, if you are a repeat offender, your license could be suspended, and if you caused an accident or endangered others, you could be charged with additional misdemeanors including reckless driving.
In order to find out about Arizona traffic fines for speeding in your municipality, you will likely have to phone your local courthouse. Only a few Arizona traffic fine schedules are posted online, and you may have better luck simply asking your local traffic court clerk.
